ATP-3-94-2 HIMARS Deep Operations Download
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Fires in the Deep Area 1 September 2016 ATP 3-94.2 A-5 A-28. Cannon artillery, MLRS and HIMARS can be effective SEAD weapons by creating corridors at the FLOT. MLRS or HIMARS may engage several targets by using the launchers multiple-aim point capability against thin-skinned air defense weapons and radars. However, MLRS or HIMARS used in a SEAD role must consider the required safety distance for suppressing targets at the FLOT and in EAs, reload times for launchers, and normal relocation requirements after each launch as well as the maximum ordinate and munitions flight path. A-29. Smart munitions and advanced sensors can also reduce target location difficulties if the location is within the sensor's range. Artillery-delivered smoke in support of SEAD operations can be both an advantage and disadvantage. Smoke can hide aircraft from enemy air defense weapons that use visual acquisition. However, smoke is ineffective as a countermeasure against electronic sensor-guided air defense systems and can also obscure targets and prevent friendly aircraft from identifying enemy air defense systems. A-30. As an additional SEAD consideration, fires from mortars, cannon, and rocket artillery pose hazards to friendly aircraft activities. The highest probability of conflict between aircraft and surface-to-surface indirect fire occurs at relatively low altitudes in the immediate vicinity of firing units and target impact areas. Airspace coordinating measures must be designed to reduce any potential hazard. Airspace coordinating measures and current, and well as proposed firing locations and targets, should be disseminated to all participating forces to create shared understanding and reduce the risk of fratricide.